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I was planning on doing this last weekend but after a nasty virus from some junk mail and an even nastier paper that was due by Monday compounded by the weather on Saturday, I didn't have time.

We a very close to crossover day. This is the day that in order for a bill to pass it must pass in either the house or senate to move foward. We are getting down to the wire for this. We have had some victories so far this session I guess. In the time I have I will reserve the victories for later in this week. Some things that haven't happened yet is Transportation reform. Advocates of reform cite two years of nothing happening. I cite two years of Dade County not getting the shaft. I don't think we have to much to worry because Mullis said last year in the Times Free Press that he would not support a bill that did not include a local opt out. I take this to mean Dade County would not have to participate in an additional penny sales tax whether we like it or not. The Governor seems pretty determined this year to veto any transportation measure that even allows regions to not opt out. Expect some back peddling and yes I mean from even Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committe to happen. Sad thing is is that The session is so short almost anything will get passed if it is important that year to keep it moving.

That what makes me sad as what has happened in the house today. The house spent about 3 hours debating a bill that forbid the federal government from imposing a penalty on anybody not choosing to purchase healthcare. While I think this measure is valid we have to little time to be beating our chest against the bill that passed in congress last night. Time would have been better servered figuring out what could be done about the budget or other matters. Another measure was debated already and failed to recieve the 2/3 majority it needed. Don't get me wrong I am against the mandate I just think it was a waste of time. There are a lot of other measures I think are a waste of time but let's save that for another time. I will be traveling for a field workshop out west this week so look foward to some more updates.

I leave you with this original thought as I heard 12-13 states look to sue the federal government over the consitutionality of the health care bill. All I can say is that Roberts and SCOTUS may have the last laugh over the beat down they recieved at the State of the Union Speech.